Search Tailor Made Destinations
Northern Explorer
Discover the rich culture, natural beauty and authentic way of life of this little-explored region.
Cultural Tour
Duration: 16 Days
Combine your itinerary with your preferred hotels or other accommodation. Take a look at the Accommodation section for ideas and inspiration.
| Days 1 - 3 | After landing in Colombo, you make the short drive to your hotel at Ranweli, just north of the capital. Your hotel, the Ranweli Holiday Village, is surrounded by waterways so the final part of your journey is by small passenger ferry. The following morning you will have a guided nature walk around the resort before leaving to drive north to Wilipattu National Park. |
| Day 4 | Wilipattu is Sri Lanka's oldest and largest national park but sees relatively few visitors. Its many lakes are a haven for birds and wildlife including leopard and sloth bear so keep your eyes peeled on an early morning game drive. Later, you drive to tour the ancient city of Anuradhapura, now a fascinating World Heritage Site and a sacred attraction for Buddhist pilgrims. |
| Day 5 | This morning you visit the sacred mountain of Mihintale and climb the 1,840 stone steps to its summit. After lunch, and a well earned rest, you continue your journey north, stopping for the night near Mannar Island. |
| Days 6 - 8 | This morning you drive to Jaffna where you spend the next three nights. The biggest town in northern Sri Lanka, it has a large Tamil population and its own distinctive culture, language and cuisine. You will have ample time to explore the town of Jaffna, its historic Dutch Fort and the villages and temples that dot the islands of Jaffna Peninsula. |
| Days 9 - 11 | You leave Jaffna today and drive east, across Elephant Pass, to the coastal town of Trincomalee. You have three nights here at a delightful beachfront hotel. There are many options for how to spend your time in and around Trincomalee. You can enjoy birdwatching and nature walks, explore Fort Frederick with its long colonial history, take a boat trip to Pigeon Island - a great place for snorkelling, or, depending on the time of year, go on a whale watching excursion from the harbour. |
| Day 12 | Leaving the coast you drive inland to the 12th century ruined city of Polunnaruwa. Along with a fascinating museum you can see the stone shrine and the famous 14 metres long reclining Buddha statue. You can also take a short countryside walk to observe daily life in rural Sri Lanka. |
| Days 13 - 14 | Your day begins at Sigiriya where you climb to the top of its giant rock citadel; the summit views are exceptional. You then drive to Kandy, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, where you spend the next two nights. Here you can wander through the beautiful botanical gardens, visit a tea plantation and enjoy time at the Temple of the Tooth. This much revered Buddhist shrine houses a significant religious relic and remains a vibrant centre of worship for Buddhists today. |
| Days 15 - 16 | Your tour of nothern Sri Lanka ends back in Colombo. You can take a private guided city tour before you leave for the airport and catch your flight home. |
Talk to one of our
well-travelled experts
Start planning your next adventure now
- Call: +44 (0) 1453 844400
- Email: info@mountainkingdoms.com
You may also like:
View Itinerary
Walking & Wildlife in Sri Lanka
Walking & Wildlife
Explore Sri Lanka's scenic landscapes and key wildlife attractions on this easy-paced, two-week walking holiday.
View Itinerary
First Class Sri Lanka
Cultural Tour
Tour Sri Lanka in style with indulgent accommodation, a luxury safari and a sun-kissed Indian Ocean beach.